Unions: Pushback on Trump’s DEI pushback

EU unions urge Brussels to resist Trump’s pressure on DEI, defending Europe’s anti-discrimination laws and condemning U.S. attempts to intimidate European companies.

The key points: ETUC General Secretary Esther Lynch urges the European Commission to resist pressure from US President Donald Trump, who is seeking to intimidate European companies into abandoning EU equality laws and DEI programmes.

Why this matters: The Trump administration’s stance represents a challenge to Europe’s anti-discrimination rules and could undermine established equality standards if not robustly defended.

What might happen next: The EU is expected to push back against US demands, with the Commission under pressure to assert its legal and ethical standards on DEI.

Our analysis: European companies need clarity and strong support from Brussels to maintain compliance and confidence, as the US approach is politically and legally questionable under EU law.

What you should be doing: Be prepared for possible cross-Atlantic regulatory tensions. Stay informed on EU Commission guidance and legal developments.

See full ETUC statement here.